Douglas County School Board seeks new trustee

The Douglas County School Board approved the resignation of Trustee Tony Magnotta during Tuesday meeting.

The board will fill the vacancy at a future regular board meeting.

Magnotta submitted a letter last week stating that he felt his voice and others were not being considered or taken seriously.

“I feel my vote, my opinion and comments have not been seriously considered when discussing manners regarding our district,” read the letter from Magnotta.

Magnotta was elected to the school board in 2020 with the notion to put schools and students first and provide a positive learning experience.

“We were elected to positively affect change regarding our students, teachers, and faculty,” read the letter from Magnotta. “Our focus needs to be on our students and their needs, not a personal agenda.”

The full letter Magnotta submitted can be viewed on the Douglas County School Board website under Tuesday’s agenda.

School Board trustees thanked Magnotta for his service.

“I want you to know you have been a common sense voice and you will be missed,” said Trustee Carey Kangas.

The board will appoint a candidate during a public meeting after substantial notice has been properly posted to fill the vacancy.

According to NRS 386.270, the board of trustees must appoint someone after notice of the meeting and vacancy is published at least once a week for two weeks in a newspaper.

Any person interested in filling the vacancy must live in School Board Area 1, located near Sunridge. The district boundaries have changed slightly since Magnotta was elected in 2020. The new board member will serve the rest of Magnotta's term which expires at the end of 2024, unless they run for the office and win. If there are only two candidates for the seat, they will meet in the general election. If there are more than two, the primary will sort them out unless one wins 50 percent plus one of the vote.